Tuolumne County Fishing Reports

The warming weather is starting to fire up the kokanee and rainbow trout as they chase big shad schools around the lake. Trollers are working 40–60 feet of water and hitting rainbow limits, with a few kokanee mixed in. Apexes, hoochies, and flutter bugs in orange or pink are all producing.

The bass bite has been picking up as both largemouth and spots push into the backs of coves to stage for the spawn. If you can find water in the high 50s to low 60s, you’ll find aggressive fish. Senkos and dropshots are reportedly getting hit hard.

Things are picking up at Don Pedro with both trout and kings on the chew reports Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing. Kings are coming on corn-tipped lures run behind dodgers, anywhere from 20 to 70 feet down. Rainbows are up higher, usually between 15 and 30 feet, and chasing shad-patterned spoons. The water’s in great shape—clear with surface temps hovering in the mid-50s.

Bass are active too, with numbers on plastics and better size coming off swimbaits and umbrella rigs. A cold front could stall things a bit, but overall the lake’s fishing well.

New Melones Lake is showing clear signs of an early spring, with rising temps and water levels pushing bass into shallow back bays. Fish are holding in 5 to 15 feet, favoring hard structure newly flooded by the reservoir’s climb to nearly 80% capacity. One angler reported a 5-pound largemouth and a 3.5-pound spot nailed in the shallows last week.

The free rig is proving very effective. It works like a Texas rig but lets the bait glide slower after the weight hits bottom—perfect for colder water. Ned rigs, drop shots, and Senkos on light line are also producing.

Trout are active near inlets with flowing water, from the surface down to 20 feet. Bright-colored spoons and small, shallow-diving crankbaits are pulling limits. Four-inch Senkos are getting both trout and bass when cast from shore.

Access remains limited due to mussel quarantine regulations, with few boats out on the water. Be sure to check inspection requirements before your trip, as kayaks and paddleboards may also be subject to inspection.